Today’s Quinnipiac Poll on public attitudes toward sexual harassment is fascinating because of the point where Republicans and Democrats depart a similar path.

There are similarities, however. Forty percent of Democrats and 32 percent of Republicans say they’ve experienced sexual harassment, for example. In both cases, they experienced it in the workplace. They both know other people who’ve sexually harassed someone (26 percent GOP; 32% Democratic) and they both agree sexual harassment of women is a serious problem, sexual harassment of men is less prevalent.

And the two sides are in complete agreement on whether it’s more likely now that sexual harassers are held accountable.

That pretty much concludes the portion of the poll where Democrats and Republicans agree.

Democrats are more likely (65% to 48%) to say people have a better understanding of the problem now, although an equal percentage of women and men say they do.

But far more Republicans than Democrats are less likely to believe an accuser now than they were a year ago.

And Republicans say they more willing to consider voting for a politician accused of sexual harassment than Democrats are.

Eighty-eight percent of Democrats and 28 percent of Republicans say President Trump should be impeached if it’s proven he sexually harassed women. But that’s not surprising since it’s a given the entire issue is not immune from the selective morality of political partisans.

Despite that, and although President Trump endorsed Roy Moore for the Senate yesterday, a significant number of Republicans — about a third — said Moore should be expelled from the Senate if he’s elected .

About the blogger

Bob Collins retired from Minnesota Public Radio in 2019 after 12 years of writing NewsCut and pointing out to complainants that posts weren’t news stories. A son of Massachusetts, he was a news editor 1992-1998, created the MPR News regional website in 1999, invented the popular Select A Candidate, started several blogs, and every day lamented that his Minnesota Fantasy Legislature project never caught on.

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Love your “selective morality.” You can add selective memory to that as well.

Jeff

For the 88% of Democrats I think jaywalking would be impeachable for this President. Anything. I don’t think sexual harassment rises to the level of an impeachable offense unless he’s convicted of a crime. But according to Republicans apparently he was exonerated when a minority of voters elected him President.

You mistyped your first sentence: For the 88% of Republicans I think jaywalking would have been impeachable for the previous President.

kevins

I am not young, and not particularly naive, but It is simply amazing to me the ongoing and numerous examples of Republicans choosing power over principle lately. Anything is acceptable as long as it preserves the vote. Sad.

Mike Worcester

For reference sake, let’s take a look at the two (of four) Articles of Impeachment that were passed by the U.S. House against then-President Bill Clinton.

I’m also wondering if people are using the terms “impeach” and “remove” interchangeably or if the various stories about this poll are doing that for sake of not having to outline the processes behind impeachment and removal from office.

Barton

that data was fascinating. I don’t really believe people answered truthfully though. Not when I hear a majority of my friends who fit into a certain sector of the questions greet every accusation with “yeah, but she…..” Those people don’t really think it s a serious problem.